FL661594

and wept most bitterly for nearly a quarter
of an hour. Others imitated him, especially
young I.... the son of the deceased.
The scene was a little interrupted by the
distressed widow falling into a fainting fit
but one of the men - a ngugagir, (or pro-
fessed doctor) soon caused her to revive
by blowing into her nostrils mouth &
hands.
The funeral, or interment, at length re-
commenced. The Aboriginees particularly
endeavoured to prepare a soft couch for
their lamented friend. First they strawed
some old grass & then green leaves: upon
these an old piece of blanket was spread
and a bag made of skins, such as the Abori-
ginal females carry on their backs, was
filled with rags belonging to the deceased
and put as a pillow for his head.
Now the corpse was put in, it was exactly
the length of the grave. Two sheep-skins which
the old man had used for his bed were laid
immediately upon him; some green leaves & then
a quantity of old grass followed which to-
gether with boughs was continued up to the
ledge or shelve. Here a number of thick pieces